Thammanat Prompao is ready to join hands with the People's Party as the opposition, noting that political friendships are not permanent. He has not yet spoken with Anutin following his party's sidelining and stated he might not remain long at the Ministry of Agriculture. If fate allows him to return, he promises to do well.
At 10:10 a.m. on 11 Mar 2026 GMT+7, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat Prompao, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, serving as advisory chairman of the Kla Party, gave an interview at the Prince Palace Hotel in Bangkok regarding Kla Party's voting direction for the Speaker of the House of Representatives. He said no discussions have taken place yet but there will be a party meeting on the morning of 15 Mar 2026 to decide.
When asked if he has spoken with Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, as leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, since news broke of Bhumjaithai forming the government, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat replied, that he has not yet talked with him. When pressed further, asked if he is now ready to be in the opposition, Thammanat said politicians must be able to fulfill every role—whether in the executive or legislative branch—and do it well as representatives of the Thai people.
He emphasized to all 58 Kla Party MPs that even if not part of the government, they must fulfill their duties as representatives of their constituencies. The networks built over 7-8 years must continue to coordinate and respond to the needs and hardships of the people.
Regarding the question of whether they would work with the People's Party, which had previously criticized them, Thammanat said politicians must adapt to all situations. Political friendships are temporary; former adversaries or those with differing views can collaborate for the people's benefit. Personal matters should not interfere. Even as opposition, one must have principles—not oppose everything blindly. If something benefits the public, it should not be opposed.
Asked if he would talk with Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the People's Party, Thammanat said he has not spoken with him because he is not an executive or party leader. As an advisor, he provides counsel, but decisions rest with the party leader and executive committee. Currently, Narumon Pinyosinwat, Kla Party leader, has already spoken with many executive members. Mutual respect is important; he should not be the public face of every issue. Regarding the approach to government oversight, Thammanat laughed after saying "Ouch," then added, "I’m not even in yet. Let's be patient."
On whether he worries that the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) policy 4-01 will not continue, he said this policy benefits the people and is confident whoever assumes the position will carry it on. If not, he will have his 58 MPs push it through parliament. Asked about academics claiming Kla Party was excluded from government due to interference by another politician, Thammanat replied,
"An academic, right? I don’t know if that's true." When asked if the party has reviewed internally why it failed to join the government despite holding 58 seats, Thammanat said,
sometimes electoral victory alone does not guarantee a government or opposition role. The key is that if you are not the number one party, you cannot control the outcome. Regarding Kla Party Secretary-General Pai Lik's statement that the party was blocked from growing, Thammanat said this was Pai's opinion and suggested asking him directly. Asked about perceptions that the breakdown with Bhumjaithai resulted from competition over running MPs in the same districts, Thammanat said,
"If we didn’t compete among ourselves, that would mean collusion."
When reporters asked about Thammanat's earlier remark at the Ministry of Agriculture event that he might not stay long, he responded that political uncertainty is common. Sometimes the top party does not always form the government or last. It depends on performance and governance. When pressed if this was a signal, Thammanat replied, "No, it's just the nature of politics." Regarding the latest Anutin 2 cabinet lineup naming Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Pheu Thai's prime minister candidate, as Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives,
Thammanat said he had not seen the news but Suriya is a seasoned politician who likely does not require a handover. At the end of the interview, Thammanat joked that reporters need not wait outside the Ministry of Agriculture anymore. Reporters said they would wait at the parliament instead, to which Thammanat replied that he is neither opposition leader nor ally and must focus on himself, his health, and his party members. When asked if the People's Party expects Kla Party to have confidential information to mount a proactive opposition, Thammanat said,
He hinted he might leave soon but if fate allows, would return and serve well, urging civil servants to remember their duty to the nation. A reporter added that at 9:00 a.m., Thammanat chaired a seminar on upgrading technological standards to drive cooperatives toward sustainability. Arriving with a smile, he said, "Regardless of my status, I might leave soon and return as you have seen before. If fate allows me to return to serve farmers, I will do well. During transitions, I want to remind everyone that you are servants of the land. We are civil servants and must be aware that without this land and its people, including farmers, we have no purpose. Each department in the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives would have no work."
"Therefore, we must recognize that we serve the people under His Majesty the King. Leaders and deputy ministers come and go; leadership changes generation by generation. But the Agriculture Ministry family, if you have served here from the start, your average career spans over 34 years. This is our home and family. We must love our duties and organization. Leadership change is normal in politics; policies may not continue seamlessly, but we must uphold civil service principles."
Thammanat added that he has been with many civil servants since they were junior staff when he first arrived. He was strict and serious but never refused help to those in trouble. Work must be done with quality. He urged civil servants to be mindful of their duties. Working in the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, regardless of department, provides for their families. They must work diligently from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an hour lunch break and make the most of their time.
